As a result of his lack of game time, Kimpembe, a France Under-21 international, admits that he is at an age where he cannot sit on the bench any longer, insisting that he is good enough for first-team chances somewhere.

"At my age, you have to play," Kimpembe said to Le Parisien. "We’ll see this summer which will be offered to me. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve experienced the level in Ligue 1 and I know I can play."

Kimpembe, whose contract expires in 2018, might interest the Toffees given the lack of certainty surrounding John Stones's future at Goodison Park.

Stones is a similar type of centre-back, comfortable with the ball and a towering presence in defence, but Kimpembe is a year younger and signing him to be a ready-made replacement would be risky by Roberto Martinez.

On the red half of the city, it remains to be seen how many of Liverpool's centre-halves figure in Jurgen Klopp's long-term vision for Liverpool.

Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren have impressed since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers, though there may be question marks over Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.